A government official has confirmed to RaajjeMV, that the replica of “Kalhu-oh-fummi,” built to commemorate the country’s 50th Independence Day, is to be gifted King Salman bin Abdul Aziz as-Saud.
A senior government official told RaajjeMV that the replica will be gifted to the Saudi King, and the vessel is being reconstructed in order to do so.
RaajjeMV understands that the Kalhu-oh-fummi will be transported in the Saudi navy ship, which anchored near the capital Malé City on March 10.
As ordered by the Ministry of Home Affairs, the vessel has been taken to Kaafu Funadhoo, and construction work is being carried out under the eye of the Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF).
MNDF’s media official Captain Ibrahim Azim had confirmed that the “Kalhu-oh-fummi” has been transported to Funadhoo for reconstruction, adding that the military has been ordered to carry out the work by the Home Ministry.
- Kalhu-oh-fummi was the sailing boat used by Mohamed Thakurufaanu, in his endeavour to free the Maldives from the Portuguese occupation.
- Its replica was constructed- exactly to the same design and size- to commemorate the 50th anniversary of Maldives, in 2015.
- Made over 450 years ago, the replica was created using traditional boat building methods used in that era
While the King is to arrive in the Maldives on Saturday, RaajjeMV understands that he has decided to extend the trip to the Maldives by two days, and will be leaving on March 28.
The King, who will be arriving along with 10 ministers, 1500 officials, his personal carrier, five other plans and two helicopters, has booked three resorts for his stay in the Maldives. He will arrive in Malé via helicopter.
